A Fife community rallied round to save a Jack Russell terrier stuck down a hole for three days.
Murphy, described as “a bit of a rascal” by his owners George and Julia Young, was freed from a badger sett near Blebo Craigs yesterday afternoon.
After a rescue effort that included two other terriers, an underground camera and a mechanical digger, Murphy emerged appearing none the worse..embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 30px; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }
Mr Young, 59, who runs St AndrewsPottery, said: “He’s away to the vet for a check up. He looks absolutely fine.”
After Murphy disappeared on Friday, the Youngs became increasingly worried because he was without food and water.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called out on Sunday, but stood down when they realised there was nothing they could do to help.
Refusing to let their pet perish, Mr and Mrs Young started trying to dig to where Murphy was trapped.
At the request of the fire service, police officers attended to make sure the search was proceeding safely.
Drain repair firm Dyno-Rod brought in an underground camera to help look for Murphy, while fellow terrier owners provided assistance by sending their dogs down the sett to discover Murphy’s location and local man Billy Carswell arrived with his digger.
After finding out where Murphy was lurking, it was brought in to make an escape route.
However, Mr Young said the noise of the digger was enough to send Murphy hurtling out of the main entrance to the sett.
The couple thanked those who turned out to make sure there was a happy ending to the tale.
Mr Young said: “All the local people helped out and did awfully well. People were offering cups of tea and offering to dig holes.
“He’s been in this badger sett before, two times. He was in another sett for three days a few years ago.
“He’ll certainly be on a lead from now on. He’s a bit of a rascal.”
Jack Russell terriers have been used in fox hunting to pursue their quarry but not attack it.
It is in their instinct to disappear down rabbit holes and other burrows.
Mr Young said there was no indication that any badgers had been in the sett at the time.
The Scottish SPCA is understood to have been aware of the incident.
During the search, Mrs Young, 65, feared she would never see Murphy again.
She said: “When we heard him barking he sounded so lively, but you think how long can a wee dog go without anything to drink?
“We have hardly slept. On freezing cold nights we sat out until three, four or five in the morning.
“It was so cold outside, but underground it would have been warmer.”
She added: “People in the village have been fantastic. Very kind.”.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 30px; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }